MARTIN O’NEILL insists Ji Dong-Won is part of his plans after revealing Sunderland have turned down offers from abroad to take the striker on loan.

South Korea international Ji joined Sunderland last summer but has started only one game so far this season, although he has made 15 substitute appearances in all competitions.

The 20-year-old has played four games under O’Neill – including coming off the bench to score Sunderland’s last-gasp winner against Manchester City on New Year’s Day.

The Black Cats boss says Ji is an important member of his squad, particularly with fellow frontmen Connor Wickham and Nicklas Bendtner having struggled with injuries in recent weeks.

O’Neill said: “We have had a few phone calls from clubs abroad who would like to take Ji on loan, but we have knocked them back.

“The fact is, we cannot afford to lose any of our squad at the moment but, besides that, Ji is a player who has done well for us.

“The lad has talent, but he has just come over here and is still learning the game. We want to see how he progresses and develops.

“Apart from that, he has just scored one of the most important goals I can remember – that amazing last-minute winner against Man City and making himself an instant hero in the eyes of the fans – and myself – in the process.”

While Ji may have been used sparingly until now under the O’Neill regime, he is not the only squad member who has had to wait for his chance.

Ahmed Elmohamady – a regular starter under previous boss Steve Bruce – has also yet to make a start in the eight games since the Irishman took over.

O’Neill accepts there will be frustration among those who have found themselves on the fringes, but says they will all be given their chance in the remaining four months of the campaign.

He added: “Someone like Ji and beyond him Ahmed Elmohamady, I can sympathise with them if they are unhappy about not playing more.

“My message to them and to anyone else in that position is they will get their chance.

“They are in the first-team squad, which means they can be selected in any match where they are among the subs.

“To be fair, there have been several players who have been playing very well but not been able to get into the side because the first team is winning and players are doing well.

“However, we do have injuries and players will get their chance.

“Matt Kilgallon never expected to be playing, but took his chance because of injury to Wes Brown.

“Michael Turner was not expecting to get back so soon, but was handed a chance because of injury to Kilgallon at Chelsea.

“That is the way it will go on – you will have injuries, loss of form or different systems in games coming up, so everyone will get their chance.

“It is just very hard to change things when the team is playing well or winning games or both.”